Caring For Your Aging Loved Ones From Far Away

The ability to provide adequate care for your aging loved one is a legitimate concern. Situations you face can be challenging at times. Yet, you press on to get things done because your loved one depends on you. 

In addition to facing the usual daily concerns of being a caregiver, distance adds to the challenges of some. Because of job responsibilities or other factors, some caregivers may live across town from their loved one or even across the country. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), anyone who lives more than an hour from their loved one is a long-distance caregiver. Although it may not be as easy as being in the same house, you can help your loved one get the care that he or she needs even when you live far away like opting for Des Moines Home Care.

Communicate Daily If Possible

The key to caring for your aging loved one who lives in another area is communication. You must be able to communicate with your loved one and with the people who are present with them. Thankfully, technology has made it to where you do not have to rely just on voice communication. Today, you can do video calls through several platforms. Being able to see each other as you talk to your loved one is the next best thing to being there with them.

Arrange for Medical Care

You can schedule medical appointments online. If you are the caregiver with permission granted by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA), you can receive information about your loved one’s medical condition from your loved one’s doctor. Even if you are not present, you can arrange for a taxi or medical transport company to take your loved one to their doctor’s appointment. A professional home health care agency such as Home Care Des Moines can also provide nurses to come into the home as needed.

Manage Personal Finances

Because of online banking, you can manage your loved one’s finances from a distance. You can pay for services electronically. You can instruct whomever you hire to perform any services to send you their receipt. Your loved one can still be involved in financial decision making for as long as they can do so.

Hire and Schedule Maintenance Personnel

Your aging loved one still living at home will need help with routine home maintenance. At first, there may be some resistance to having someone come into the house to do things that they are accustomed to doing. However, as time passes, your loved one will come to understand they need help. You can hire maintenance persons from wherever you are. 

Schedule Regular Visits

You may not be able to be with your loved one all the time, but you can physically visit as often as you can. Even if it is once a year, you can consistently care for your loved one from far away. While you are there, you have an excellent opportunity to make family memories that will last forever.

Location: 9250 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266, USA

Popular posts from this blog

5 Ways To Regain Energy After Caregiver Burnout

Image
As a caregiver for a senior loved one, you want to make sure that your duties are carried out with expertise. You work diligently during days that seem never-ending, and often sleepless nights. Often, you will feel run down and lethargic, but you continue to perform your duties. You also neglect yourself in the process. Taking time off when you are not feeling well is not a viable option. You feel that no one can do the job quite like you. Caregiver burnout is real. You work until you are stressed out and experience some depression. You become tired, but you still continue with your tasks. What is Burnout? When you as a caregiver experience burnout, you may not know it. You will be void of energy, listless, irritable, and may have insomnia. It is difficult to care for your senior loved properly if you are not up to par. You will become careless, and this could cause a hazard for both you and your senior loved one. Ignoring caregiver burnout can only make it worse. You will get to
Read more

Top 7 Movies on Alzheimer’s Disease

Image
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder that is fairly common among seniors. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 5.5 million Americans were living with this disease in 2016. Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging.  Des Moines home care  providers discuss a few movies that highlight the struggles of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and the challenges their caregivers may face.
Read more